Tough day but in tehauntepec
I'm cutting and pasting the email I sent to my family yesterday. For some reason I couldn't get on Stromtrooper. Will send Oaxaca report later.
> When I wake up in Tapachula it's raining. So I take my time doing my
> morning rituals hoping the rain will let up in a while. It doesn't. So out
> to the bike in the rain to get my rain gear. After putting on riding gear
> and then rain gear I feel like an astronaut ready for a space walk.
>
> Now I have to find the Aduana. I head to where I'm told it's at. No luck.
> I talk to about 8 people and get 8 different directions. So finally I say
> fug it. I'm leaving this place and heading north. Screw the permit. I
> figure only 2 things could happen. An extremely large fine at the US/Mexico
> border or I find an understanding Aduana official someplace in Mexico.
>
> Well, about 10 miles out of town I see a check point up ahead. Oh oh, it's
> a customs checkpoint. As luck would have it there's a 1 man tiny Banjercito
> office there. He is more than happy to issue my Temporary Vehicle Import
> Permit. In 30 minutes and running around to get a couple of copies (only 3
> pesos) I'm sticking the sticker on my windshield and I'm ready to ride. And
> better yet, the rain has stopped.
>
>
>
> In about 280 miles I go through about 9 checkpoints; 1 customs, 3
> immigration, 2 federal police, and 3 military. They are all very nice and
> usually just wave me through. I took my camera out at one of the military
> checkpoints. Bad idea. Immediately 2 guys with Ak-47's head towards
> me. They aren't smiling. They check my camera to see the last picture and
> then walk away. That's the last time I try that.
>
> Here's what he saw. A picture of how the gas stations keep rain out of
> their storage tanks.
>
>
> Beautiful riding for most of the way. When I get close to Salina Cruz the
> rain comes down so hard I can barely see. The big trucks coming the other
> way make such a splash that I just have to keep her straight and hope the
> road doesn't curve. And, like a fool, I'm doing about 65. As I get close
> to my destination the rain let's up and the road gets better.
>
> Didn't have a clue where a hotel was in Tehauntepec but stopped at the
> second one I see. It's fine. It has internet and that's all I need. Don't
> know about hot water yet. I'll find out in the morning. I do a wash in
> the sink of socks and shirts. Hope they dry by morning. They should as
> they are synthetic.
>
>
> I picked Tehuantepec for tonight for a couple of reasons. It makes Oaxaca
> close for tomorrow and I like the sound of the name. Plus, while at the
> maritime school we studied a local wind call a Tehauntepecer. It's a very
> strong offshore wind that blows out into the Gulf of Tehauntepec. When I
> was just a third or second mate on ships whose route went up or down the
> Mexican coast we used to hug the coast in this area if a tehauntepecer was
> blowing. The winds would be just as strong along the coast but the seas
> didn't have a chance to build up too much.
>
> Anyway, it was a beautiful but tough day today. That just makes the beer
> and dinner taste better.
>
> Adios,
> Gary